He was bareheaded, but he touched the place where his cap brim should have been and replied: "I'll remember, captain." "See that you do," said the man in level tones, instinct nevertheless with hardness and cruelty.
Robert touched his forehead again and turned away with Miguel, descending to the cook's galley, resolved upon some daring trial, he did not yet know what.

Here the Portuguese set him to work at once, scouring pots and kettles and pans, and he toiled without complaint until his arms ached.

Miguel at last began to talk.

He seemed to suffer from the lack of companionship, and Robert divined that he was the only Portuguese on board.
"Good helper, you Peter," he said.

"It no light job to cook for twenty men, and all of them hungry all the time." "Have we our full crew on board, Miguel ?" "Yes, twenty men and four more, and plenty guns, plenty powder and ball.